ARIA Aircraft 61-0328
AGAR 23
On May 6, 1981, EC-135N, Serial Number 61-0328, call sign AGAR 23, departed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, at 1005 Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDT) on a routine training mission. Onboard the aircraft were 17 crewmembers and 4 authorized passengers. The flight proceeded uneventfully as planned for approximately 45 minutes. Then, in a few brief moments, a sequence of very rapid events resulted in a crash with the loss of all onboard.
At 1049:48 EDT, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lost radar contact with AGAR 23. The aircraft was cruising at Flight Level 290, at .78 Mach while performing a navigational training leg.
For undetermined reasons, the aircraft pitch trim moved to the full nose-down position. The aircraft then rapidly pitched over, most likely upon release of the auto-pilot, and induced sufficient negative "G" forces to cause the generators to trip off line, resulting in the loss of all, AC electrical power. The pitch trim could not then be moved electrically. This condition, while unusual, can be controlled if prompt corrective action is taken; however, if corrective action is delayed approximately 8 seconds, the aircraft pitch angle will be greater than 30 degrees nose-down and the airspeed in excess of 350 knots indicated airspeed. Under these conditions, the aircraft cannot be controlled until the pitch trim is moved toward neutral.
While it is evident that recovery was delayed, the reason for the delay is unknown. The aircraft became uncontrollable and entered a steep descent. During the rapid descent, an explosion occurred at approximately 1300 feet above ground level followed immediately by catastrophic failure, and complete break-up of the aircraft.
In 2005 the ARIA 328 Memorial Foundation was founded by Randy L. Losey to construct a living memorial for the crew and passengers of ARIA 61-0328 in Walkersville, Maryland. The ARIA 328 online memorial is located at ARIAMemorial.com.
To learn more about the ARIA 328 Memorial Foundation and learn how you can become a part of the foundation's mission go to ARIAMemorial.com.
In Loving Memory
| Captain Thomas Edward Bayliss |
| Staff Sergeant Joseph Thomas Brundige Junior |
| Staff Sergeant Michael Wayne Darling |
| Staff Sergeant Douglas Alan Dibley |
| Major Joseph Charles Emilio |
| Mrs. Peggy A. Emilio |
| Captain Donald Vincent Fonke |
| Mrs. Linda M. Fonke |
| Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Barnes Frederick |
| First Lieutenant Charles Edward Gratch |
| Staff Sergeant Timothy Lane Harris |
| Staff Sergeant George Milton Henninger |
| Technical Sergeant Gregory Clayton Hodge |
| Second Lieutenant Clayton Floyd Jones |
| Captain Walter Thomas Lusk |
| Senior Master Sergeant Larry Dean Middleton |
| Airman First Class Randall Charles Moffett |
| Chief Master Sergeant Eddie Wayne Presley |
| Staff Sergeant Glenn Samuel Resides Junior |
| Mr. Michael W. Riley United States Air Force Veteran |
| Technical Sergeant Larry Gene Wetzel |
Time-line
1961 - Constructed C-135A-BN. Construction Number 18235.
1966 -
Conversion to EC-135N with electrical and structural modifications at Douglas Aircraft, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
December 27, 1967 -
Arrived Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.
January 1, 1968 -
Aircraft Online and Operational.
December 1975 -
Transferred to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 4950th Test Wing.
May 6, 1981 -
Crashed Walkersville, Maryland. All 21 personnel killed. ARIA 328 Memorial
Specifications ARIA EC-135N
Span: |
103.8 Feet |
Length: |
141.5 Feet |
Height: |
41.7 Feet |
Weight: |
300,500 Pounds Maximum Takeoff Gross Weight |
Engines: |
Four Pratt & Whitney J57-P-59W: 13,750 Pounds Thrust Each |
Crew: |
11 |
Cruise: |
490 Knots Maximum Speed |
Cruise: |
430 Knots Normal Speed |
Altitude: |
33,000 Feet |
Range: |
4500 Nautical Miles |
